Tag: Hermetic Doors

Innovation is the key to improving patient care and maintaining stringent cleanliness standards. One such innovation that has significantly impacted healthcare facilities and many other facilities around the world are hermetic doors. In this blog post, we’ll delve into these doors, highlighting why you should choose them and also the options that come when purchasing with Dortek.

Hermetic doors are a remarkable addition to any facility. They are designed to maintain airtight seals, preventing the passage of air, moisture, and microorganisms. This technology not only enhances the hygiene of the environment but also contributes to energy efficiency. The airtight seal achieved by hermetic doors can be particularly vital in areas like operating rooms, isolation rooms, and cleanrooms, where infection control is paramount.

Why Choose Hermetic Doors?

• Infection Control: Hermetic doors are at the forefront of infection control. In healthcare settings, where the spread of infections can be life-threatening, hermetic doors act as a robust barrier against the transmission of germs and bacteria.
• Enhanced Patient Safety: These doors ensure patient safety by maintaining a sterile environment. Patients in isolation or post-surgery can recover without the risk of secondary infections.
• Energy Efficiency: Hermetic doors contribute to energy savings by reducing the exchange of conditioned air. This not only helps in maintaining a controlled environment but also lowers energy costs.
• Ease of Access: Designed with user convenience in mind, hermetic doors can be seamlessly operated, allowing for easy entry and exit while maintaining their airtight integrity.
• Customisation: These doors are available in various sizes and designs, catering to the specific needs of your facility. They can be integrated into other door systems, depending on your individual requirements.

The Benefits of Dortek Hermetic Doors:

• Airtight
• Hygienic finish
• Radiation proof
• Smoke proof
• Sound Insulation
• Automated or manual
• Up to 60 minutes fire rating & much more.

Please contact our team today on +44 (0)1482 226848 for more information on hermetic doors or alternatively please send us an enquiry via our contact us page.

The benefits of sliding hermetic doors within a cleanroom environment.

Within Cleanrooms, it is the function of the HVAC and overpressure to provide protection against the infiltration of contaminated air. A pressure differential should be maintained between adjacent zones or rooms, with the cleanest rooms operating at the highest pressure within the facility.

The amount of air introduced into a cleanroom is tightly controlled; so is the amount of air that is taken out.  Generally, cleanroom pressurisation is achieved by taking out slightly less air than is put in.  A minimum of 5pa overpressure between clean zones is required. The extra air then leaks out under the door or through the tiny crevices or gaps that are inevitably in any cleanroom. Pressure can be increased in a room by increasing the volume entering the room or reducing the leakage amount.

The cost of air control in a cleanroom can be comparatively high. The energy requirement of HVAC systems usually amounts to 50-75% of electricity consumption in a clean production space, due to the high airflow rates needed for particular ISO classes. However, when a door is opened, a significant exchange of air (with that of the outside air) will take place. This can affect the cleanliness of air within the room until such time that the HVAC can recirculate and clean the air again.

Entry should be through doors that are interlocked as an airlock in a cleanroom. This is to maintain cleanroom pressure differentials and to minimise human, process and product contact with contaminated air from particles, microbial agents or chemicals. Ideally, sealing rooms with differing pressures will increase cost efficiency, reduce air loss and keep the filter load low. Hermetic doors can play a huge part in the cost, efficiency and particle control of a cleanroom.

It is important that a door, particularly if automated, has an opening and closing speed that can be easily configured according to user requirements. All personnel doors should include self-closing mechanisms, which is also a legal requirement on fire doors.

Manual or automatic hermetic sliding doors may be useful when space is an issue, or to facilitate movement between spaces of similar cleanliness class for personnel whose hands are otherwise engaged. It is important that automated doors have on board safety sensors for both door, personnel and traffic safety protection. Touchless activation of the doors should also be considered.

Cleanrooms or operating theatres that have hermetic sliding doors can give consistent and fully predictable sealing and air leakage control over long periods. Hermetic sliding doors have a frame mounted seal that, along with special indentations in the track, uses the door’s own weight to seal perfectly against the frame and also the floor. Therefore, there is no need for a threshold, meaning ease of access for beds, trollies etc.

Dortek hermetic sealing sliding glass doors are specifically designed for use in areas where hygiene, visibility and the control of air leakage is critical. The door offers a contemporary look and is ideal for providing maximum visibility for both open plan environments and confined spaces. The glass panel maximises natural light, helping to create light and airy room conditions.

The door is ideal for controlled laboratory and hospital environments as it has a unique patented track system which enables it to seal perfectly when closed helping to reduce cross contamination and expensive air handling costs. The transparent glass enables easy observation without the need to enter the room which is why the door is a popular option for hospital ICU or quarantine areas.

Hygienic Flush Glass Finish

The door blade has a thickness of 60mm, fully glazed with 6mm toughened flush glass on both sides, and equipped with a screen-printing edge. The aluminium border has rounded corners and is flush with the door leaf to make the door hygienic and easy to keep clean.

Hermetic Sealing

The doors patented track system, which works in combination with the door’s weight, works with a continuous neoprene gasket to create a perfect seal against the doorframe. This seal has been independently tested and found to be more than 99% effective, leaking less than 0.2m³/hr of clean air with a typical pressure differential of 20 Pa. The door has been tested to be airtight up to an overpressure of up to 100 Pa according to ANSI/UL 1784:199.

Smooth Sliding Action

The doors smooth, controlled, sliding action helps to reduce air disturbance and the consequent movement of airborne micro-organisms. The door cuts through the air causing minimal disturbance, whereas traditional hinged doors can disrupt the airflow in a clean area each time they’re opened.

Intelligent Automation

Automation can be electric or pneumatic. Electric automation offers excellent flexibility, is optically and acoustically unobtrusive, emits low noise and requires little energy. Pneumatic automation is operated by a pneumatic locking cylinder via a positive air supply for a smooth silent operation in sensitive areas. The opening and closing times are adjustable up to 0.8 m/s. The intelligent automation senses if an obstruction is present and prevents the door from closing thus eliminating the need for a dirty safety strip. Additional safety is provided by means of a photo cell fitted across the door opening. Our range of automations can be integrated with a range of access control systems including touchless sensors for hygienic, effortless, hands free operation.

Patented Track System

The unique patented track system is angled at 45 degrees and special indentations allow the bearings to roll down enabling the door using its own weight to seal perfectly against the frame and floor.

Floor Sealing System

A tough neoprene gasket seals perfectly against a level floor without the need for a raised threshold. Guiding and sealing cams are fitted outside the clear opening eliminating the requirements for a floor track, allowing free unrestricted access for wheeled traffic.

Smoke Protection and Optional Privacy Blinds

The doors are smoke resistant according to EN 1634-3 and can be supplied with a smart glass blind for increased privacy.